Splash shield for protecting stockings



0 6 m 6 T 7 RT. 7 0 0 0 Y 0 MK E V N N 2 W m R A m R QT A J D O. m M A.

A J RALENKOTTER SPLASH SHIELD FOR PROTECTING STOCKINGS Filed Aug. 27, 1,948

April 11, 1950 Patented Apr. 11, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPLASH SHIELD FOR PROTECTING STOCKINGS This invention relates to a stocking shield for protecting the backs of womens stockings against being splattered from mud and water when walking in inclement weather, and more particularly pertains to a flexible angular shield normally disposed with one arm of the shield adjacent the back of the heel and the other arm extending horizontally in position to intercept splattering of mud and water up the backs of the stockings.

The angular shield is pivoted to an ankle support to be held in operative or inoperative position when worn and to be folded, when removed from the ankle, against the ankle support into a small compact unit that can be easily carried in the pocket or handbag of the user. The shield is made adjustable by the pivoted connection to the support to be moved to inoperative position without being removed from the ankle, and means is provided for holding it in inoperative position.

The invention generally described comprises a support for attaching a flexible angular shield to the ankle, the support being preferably a spring clip that can be easily slipped on and off the ankle. A connecting arm is pivoted to the back of the support and is constructed to have the-shield readily attached thereto or detached therefrom so that same can easily be replaced.

The angular shield is made from any suitable light flexible material, preferably heavy paper or cardboard, that is water-resistant. The shield,

in operative position on the ankle, has one arm depending adjacent the heel and the other arm extending horizontally substantially parallel to the grounds. The arms of the shield can be folded together in abutting relation, and a fastener is provided to hold the folded arms of the shield together and against the back of the leg. Thus, when entering a building or boarding a vehicle, the shield may be placed in inoperative position and worn rather than removing same from the ankle. The fastener for holding the arms of the shield together is also advantageously placed in position on the connecting arm to permit the shield being dropped into operative position and then positively held with the upper arm of the shield extended horizontally substantially parallel to the ground.

when the device is removed from the ankle, the shield is adapted to be folded against one side of the supporting clip and with the arms of the shield folded or collapsed in abutting relation. Thus, the device is a small compact unit which may be conveniently carried in a handbag or a pocket.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a device embodying the invention in operative position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device on the back of the ankle;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the device in operative position;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of Fig. 3 showing turntable fastener; and

Fig. 5 is a side plan view of the device folded in compact unit.

Referring specifically to the drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like parts, numeral 2 is a springsupport of any suitable material, such as moldable plastic, having an open end to permit same being slipped on and off the ankle.

A protecting angular shield 3 is attached to the rear or closed end of the spring clip by a connecting arm 4 which is pivoted at 5. The shield is made of light flexible material, such as heavy paper or cardboard, which is preferably waterresistant, and is preferably bent along a medial line 6 to form two arms or sides I and 8. The arms may be of any configuration but are preferably of artistic design.

The shield is preferably replaced with a new one after being soiled, and thus means is advantageously provided whereby same can be attached easily to and detached from the connecting arm. A suitable means is one or more clips 9 on the upper arm of the shield having an opening or eye through which the free end of the connecting arm 4 can be inserted. Thus, old or soiled shields can be easily removed from the free end of the arm 4 and a new one slipped thereon. The attaching clips 9 typify any suitable means for readily fastening the shield to the connecting arm.

In operative position on the ankle, the lower arm 8 depends downwardly adjacent the heel, whereas the other arm 1 extends horizontally substantially parallel with the ground. The horizontal arm intercepts any water or mud which is thrown up towards the backs of the legs in walking and prevents same from splattering on the backs of the stockings. The depending arm of the shield adjacent the heel protects the heel against any water or mud being splashed against it or from any dripping from the horizontally extending arm.

The hinge of the connecting arm is so constructed or a stop is so positioned that the top arm of the shield will drop to and be held in a horizontal position. The stop may advantageously be the hereinafter described fastener for holding the two arms of the shield in collapsed position.

When entering buildings or boarding vehicles, the shields can be moved to inoperative position without removing them from the ankles. The pivot on the connection member permits the shield to be raised against the back of the legs. The two arms of the shield can be brought together and both raised to be against the back of the leg above the heel. A turntable fastener in is pivoted at ii to the connecting arm 4 in position to have one end overlap and impinge against the bottom arm d of the shield-and the other end of the arm to span the pivot 5 and overlap and impinge against the back of the supporting clip or some part which is fixed thereto. Thus, by turning the fastener it; the arms of the shield. may be secured in folded or collapsed position and then held in elevated or raised position against the back of the leg. Then, too, when the armsof the shield are held in folded or collapsed position, and the device removed from the ankle, the shield can be folded against one side of the supporting clip, hereby making the device small and compact so that it can be easily carried in the pocket or handbag. The fastener l0 may also be disposed in position on the connecting arm to have one edge abut against the back of the supporting clip when same is turned to release the arms of the shield from folded or collapsed position, thereby serving asa stop to hold the upper arm 7 in horizontal position or, as described above, the pivot may be constructed so that connecting arm 6 cannot drop below a horizontal position.

From the foregoing description, the operation of the device and its manner of use is obvious. It may be noted, however, that the soiled sides of the shields will be those which adjacent when the shields are folded. Thus, the shields can be collapsed and replaced with new ones without soiling the hands.

While I have illustrated and fully described one embodiment for carrying the invention into effect, it will be understood that there may be various changes in details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having described m invention, I claim:

1. A device for protecting the backs of stockings from being splattered in inclement weather comprising a supporting clip for attaching the device to the leg of the wearer, a shield, an arm for pivotally connecting the shield to the supporting clip, and stop means cooperating with the pivotally connecting means for holding the shield in horizontal position.

2. A device for protecting the backs of stockings from being splattered in inclement weather comprising a supporting clip for attaching the de-- vice to the leg of the wearer, a shield, an arm pivotally connected at one end to the supporting clip and having a free end adapted to receive the shield, and stop means cooperating with the pivotally connecting arm for holding the shield in horizontal position, said stop means being movable to also hold the shield in elevated position against the back of the leg.

3. A device for protecting the backs of stockings from being splattered in inclement weather comprised of a supporting clip for attaching the device to the leg of the wearer, a shield having a pair of foldable arms, and means for pivotally attaching the shield to the supporting clip to have one of the arms of the shield held horinontal to the ground and the other arm depending adjacent the heel.

i. A device for protecting the backs of stocking-s from being splattered in inclement weather comprising a supporting clip, a shield having a pair of foidable arms, an arm having one end pivotally connected to the supporting clip and the. other end connected to the shield, and a turnable fastener pivoted on the connecting arm in position to span the pivot of the connecting arm and overlap portions of the supporting clip and shield for holding the arms of the shield in collapsed position and elevated against the back of the leg.

5. A device for protecting the backs of stockings from being splattered in inclement weather comprising a supporting clip, a shield composed of flexible fabric material which is bent to form a pair of arms, an arm having one end pivotally connected to the supporting clip and the other arm connected to the shield, a turnable fastener pivoted on the connecting arm in position to span the pivot of the connecting arm and overlap portions of the supporting clip and shield for holding the arms of the shield in collapsed position and elevated against the back of the leg, and stop means cooperating with the pivot on the connecting arm for holding one or the arms in horizontal position.

ARNOLD J. RALENKOTTER.

No references cited. 

